Mechanics reports key after horror accident in PNG's East Sepik

The police commander in Papua New Guinea's East Sepik says his investigators are waiting for a mechanical report before taking any action over the worst vehicle accident in the province.

11 people were killed and 23 injured when a PMV, or public motor vehicle, crashed last Friday morning on its way into Wewak.

Chief superintendent Joseph Poma says that is more than the annual number of road deaths that typically occurs in the province.

Mr Poma says they are not yet sure what caused the crash.

"The driver is claiming that it was brake failure. We got the mechanics to check the vehicle to ascertain whether that question is correct. We also suspect that it could the driver at fault because of the load coming down, he was on high speed, he may have panicked a bit and lost control of the vehicle."